Novelty hat

ABSTRACT

A novelty hat includes a headband with first and second end. The headband generally defines an annular shape and includes velcro closure strips on the ends thereof. At least one of the velcro strips also secures to the headband. A liner and exterior shaped figure extend upwardly from the headband. Stuffing is disposed between the liner and the figure such that the figure forms the shape of an animal head, sports logo or mascot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/280,936 titled NOVELTY SPORTS INSIGNIA HATfiled Apr. 3, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to hats. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to a novelty hat that includes a plush toy,preferably in the form of a realistic animal head which may or may notbe a team insignia or logo.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Logo sports hats are well known in the art. Typically, the priorlogo hats include sports logos sewn on the front of the hat. Also known,are ball hats with replaceable pennant panels.

[0004] Conventional sports logo hats and ball hats with replaceablepennant panels are suitable for sports fans who want their hats todesignate their favorite teams. The two-dimensional representations oflogos do not stand out, particularly when viewed from a distance, andmay not be easily distinguishable from other hats with two-dimensionalrepresentations of logos of other teams.

[0005] Other novelty hats include three-dimensional representations.These include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,781,934 to Pauley, Jr. and 6,000,063 toSullivan. These hats, typically, embody a conventional baseball hat andinclude three-dimensional ornamentation thereon. That is, ornamentationis secured to the conventional hat. A plush type hat is also shown inU.S. Pat. No. 5,894,603 to Capozzi. Further, each of the hats depictedin the aforementioned patents provide non-adjustable hats, or hats thatare adjustable over a relatively small range of sizes. Further, none ofthe aforementioned patents comprise a hat wherein the hat itself is nota conventional baseball hat, but comprises a plush toy such as arendition of an actual animal's head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a hatcomprising a headband having first and second ends generally defining anannular shape to be placed around the user's head. The hat furthercomprises a liner extending upwardly from the headband to define acavity for receiving a user's head. The hat further includes an exteriorshaped figure extending from the head band and located exterior of theliner. The hat further comprises a closure comprising a first velcrostrip extending from the first end of the headband, and a second velcrostrip extending from the second end of the headband.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hat thatincludes a shaped plush material.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a hathaving a headband that can be adjustable over a relatively wide range ofhat sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Other advantages and objects of the present invention will beappreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a hat made in accordance withthe present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the hat of FIG. 1; and

[0012]FIG. 3 is bottom perspective view of the hat of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] One embodiment of the hat made in accordance with the presentinvention is generally shown at 10 in the figures. The hat 10 includes aheadband generally indicated at 12. The headband 12 has first 14 andsecond 16 ends. The headband 12 defines a generally annular shape and isadapted to be placed around a user's head. In the preferred embodiment,the headband 12 is made of a material having some elasticity. That is,the headband 12 preferably is made of a stretchable material. It is willappreciated that while the preferred embodiment includes a stretchableheadband 12, a rigid headband 12 can also be used within the scope ofthe present invention.

[0014] Velcro strips 18, 20 are secured to the first 14 and second 16ends of the headband 12, respectively. More specifically, a first velcrostrip 18 is secured at the first end 14 of the headband 12. Preferably,the first velcro strip 18 comprises a hook-type velcro strip.

[0015] A second velcro strip 20 is secured to the second end 16 of theheadband 12. Preferably, the second velcro strip 20 is the loop-typevelcro strip. The hooktype velcro strip 18 secures with the loop-typevelcro strip 20, in conventional manner to secure the headband 12.

[0016] Additionally, the headband 12 is preferably is made of a materialincluding loops that could adhere to the hook-type velcro strip 18. Inthis manner, the velcro strip 18 can be secured to the velcro strip 20itself, thus rendering the headband to be adjustable over a relativelywide range of sizes. The headband may be made of a material that itselfdoes not fasten to the velcro strip 18. In this embodiment, it ispreferred that the headband be covered with a fabric to which the velcrostrip 18 will secure.

[0017] The hat 10 further includes a liner 22 secured to the headband12. The liner 22 extends upwardly from the headband 12 to form a cavityfor receiving a user's head. More specifically, the liner 22 isgenerally configured in a dome shape to fit over a user's head.Preferably the liner 22 is of a light-weight, flexible fabric.

[0018] An exterior-shaped FIG. 24 extends upwardly from the headband 12and about the exterior of the liner 22. The exterior-shaped FIG. 24preferably defines the three-dimensional configuration. The FIG. 24 canhave any configuration, but it is presently preferred that the FIG. 24comprise an animal head, a sports team logo, or the like. That is, theexterior-shaped FIG. 24 is preferably sculpted to provide a fundamentalshape such as that of the desired animal, sports team insignia or logopreferred by the user. Preferably, the exterior-shaped FIG. 24 is madefrom a soft, plush material. Additional ornamentation such as eyes 28may be added to the FIG. 24 to complete the ornamentation.

[0019] In attaching the FIG. 24 and liner 22 to the headband 12,different methods may be used. For example, each of the FIG. 24 andliner 22 may independently be secured to the headband 12. Alternatively,the FIG. 24 and liner 22 may be secured at the base such as by sewing,and then the combination may be secured such as by sewing to theheadband 12.

[0020] Also, the liner 22 and FIG. 24 each have a slit 26 therein. Theslit 26 extends from the headband 12 upwardly a distance. The distancemay vary depending on the length of the slit desired and the amount ofadjustability desired in the hat 10. More specifically, the slit 26 iscreated as the FIG. 24 and liner 22 preferably attach only to theheadband 12 and not to the velcro strips 18, 20. As best seen in FIG. 2,the slit 26 creates an adjustable opening between adjacent ends of theheadband 12.

[0021] Finally, the hat 10 may include a stuffing between the liner 22and FIG. 24. The stuffing provides necessary support for creating theFIG. 24. The stuffing can be in areas necessary to create the requisiteornamentation. Preferably, the stuffing is lightweight but providesadequate between the liner 22 and FIG. 24 to maintain the desired shapeof the FIG. 24.

[0022] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner as tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that the invention may be practiced otherwise as isspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hat comprising: a headband having first andsecond ends and generally defining an annular shape to be placed arounda user's head; a liner extending upwardly from said headband to define acavity therein for receiving a user's head; an exterior shaped figureextending from said headband and exterior of said liner; and a closurecomprising a first Velcro strip extending from said first end of saidheadband and a second Velcro strip extending from said second end ofsaid headband.
 2. A hat as set forth in claim 1 wherein said headbandincludes a material that is adapted to be secured to one of said Velcrostrips.
 3. A hat as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first Velcro stripis a hook strip and said second Velcro strip is a loop strip, said hookstrip also adapted to cooperate with said headband.
 4. A hat as setforth in claim 3 wherein said headband is stretchable.
 5. A hat as setforth in claim 4 wherein each of said liner and said exterior shapedfigure include a slit.
 6. A hat as set forth in claim 7 wherein astuffing material is disposed between said liner and said exteriorshaped figure.
 7. A hat as set forth in claim 6 wherein said exteriorshaped figure comprises an animal's head.
 8. A hat as set forth in claim6 wherein said exterior shaped figure comprises a sports insignia.